Optical Fiber Cable Expo 2024 Update: Dominion Energy Approved to Extend Operation of North Anna Power Station by 20 Years
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) today approved Dominion Energy Virginia's application to extend the operating license of the North Anna Power Station by an additional 20 years. Optical Fiber Cable Expo 2024 has learned that the power station, located in Louisa County, Virginia, operates two nuclear reactors producing carbon-free electricity sufficient to power 500,000 households.
Dominion Energy's Surry Power Station previously received NRC approval in 2021 to extend its operating license until 2053. Together, Surry and North Anna generate 40% of Virginia’s electricity, approximately 90% of the state's carbon-free power.
A Dominion Energy official stated, "For over 50 years, nuclear power has been the most reliable workhorse of our fleet and the largest source of carbon-free electricity in Virginia. North Anna operates around the clock, providing reliable, clean energy to both residential and business users. This license extension approval will allow us to continue serving our customers."
To ensure the lifespan of North Anna, Dominion Energy is upgrading the site, replacing the main generators and condensers of the reactors, refurbishing reactor coolant pumps, and transitioning the instrumentation and control systems from analog to digital. Additionally, 80 improvements have been implemented at the power station, such as additional inspections and equipment testing.
Optical Fiber Cable Expo 2024 understands that the North Anna units were initially licensed in 1978 and 1980 for 40 years of operation. Following a federal review process, the licenses were renewed for another 20 years in 2003.
Based on the current usage term of the licenses, the North Anna Unit 1 and Unit 2 reactors can operate until 2038 and 2040, respectively. With the license renewal, the facilities can continue operations until 2058 and 2060.
Dominion Energy plans to apply to the Virginia State Corporation Commission later this year to recover costs associated with the license extension.
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